With all the chopping and changing of managers, Arsenal’s situation looks the most desperate.
For Gunners fans it must be a sickening situation and desperation isn’t a good look.
It’s desperate because there doesn’t appear to be a proper succession plan.
Desperate because they are closer to the bottom of the Premier League than the top.
Desperate because the team can’t even put in an extra effort following the sacking of a dysfunctional manager.
CLUELESS: Freddie Ljungberg. Picture: Andy Rain/EPA.
Desperate because of the upcoming run of fixtures and desperate because Freddie Ljungberg has (for some strange reason) been appointed as interim coach.
You could say the same for Everton, however, the enormity of Arsenal as a worldwide brand, as a leader in football style, (with a trophy cabinet to go with it), makes it that much more acute.
The beginning of the demise coincided with the demolition of Highbury and the financial implications that went with it.
The Gunners’ slow 10 year-rot has been created by a board who have shown a total disregard for football and lack of investment while milking the fans.
This is, of course, a similar scenario across the Premiership, also particularly noticeable at Manchester United, Tottenham and Newcastle.
Massive clubs that still generate huge revenues, but lack smart investment in the squad (or backroom staff).
LIFTED: Leicester manager Brendan Rogers. Picture: Rui Vieira/AP.
If you look at the current top four, it’s the complete opposite. Liverpool have embarked on a long-term plan. They redeveloped one stand at Anfield and breaking the bank for key positions.
Leicester brought in Brendan Rogers and have invested prudently in creating a fantastic squad, Manchester City have just gained a £390m injection for a 10 percent stake sale, money that will stay within the club rather than be pilfered away by directors and Chelsea have (as it turns out ) concentrated on arguably the best academy in England, while having the best balanced net spend on players.
I heard ‘Troopz’ (on Arsenal Fan TV) saying: “We could be the next Leeds United [who were relegated at the end of the 2003/4 season]”.
While it seems unlikely, given the past two months’ performances, you can’t argue against it!
When you look at the lack of respect Arsenal players have for Freddie and the fans, you wonder what the hell is really going on.
On Saturday, Duncan Ferguson entered Goodison Park through the players tunnel as interim coach.
Did he make a difference?
Well, Everton won 37 tackles - the most by any team in the Premier League this season and the most they’ve made in a game in 10 years!
Just goes to show you what the right motivation can bring.
The Toffees just wouldn’t let Chelsea settle.
Barring a few patches they were like a team of rabid terriers, chasing everything, closing down and didn’t stop for 90 minutes.
LOOKING UP: Things are looking up for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Picture: Jason Cairnduff/Reuters.
Of course, the result of the weekend has to be United’s 2-1 win at the Etihad who would have called that? Apart from virtually handing Liverpool the title, it showed that there is some hope for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer!
If only they could play like that every week. Perhaps (following the Spurs result as well) this could be a moment of change?
I doubt it, but you know they love to “believe”.
Last week’s other big news saw the Court of Sport Arbitration (CAS) dismiss the two-window transfer ban handed to Chelsea by Fifa.
Those bastards were shown up to be applying biased punishment (as City were slapped on the wrist for the same type of offences).
The ruling has sparked major speculation on who Frank Lampard will be bringing in.
Ahhhh, despite a bad loss, something for me to cheer about this festive season!
Can I ask a question? Ok, when will all these little Liverpool runts start calming down a bit?
I’m a home-and-away-for-decades Chelsea fan.
I loved it in the second division more than I do this century with all the silverware.
They just don’t understand that?
BIG NAME: It's not about having a big name. Picture: Luca Bruno/AP.
I don’t respect knobheads who pick a “big” team and slate me.
They also probably support Inter Milan in Italy, Barcelona in Spain and Lewis Hamilton in Formula One.
That ain’t “support” for me, just an attempt to be part of some kind of abstract success which has no geographical, cultural or patriotic relevance.
That doesn’t apply to all of you proper fans out there, you know who you are!
Anyway lots of important Champions League football this week, starting this evening with Chelsea and Liverpool in action, tomorrow night City and Tottenham go into battle. Chat next week.